Meghalaya: CM Conrad Sangma seeks faster land acquisition, night flights at Shillong airport

Shillong: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma on Friday expressed concern over delays in land acquisition for infrastructure projects by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH).

Sangma said that the Central government might be forced to cancel projects or bypass areas with persistent delays. The Chief Minister emphasized the need for swift action on this front.

CM Sangma also said that he met the Union Civil Aviation Minister to discuss starting night flights from Shillong Airport. Additionally, they explored the expansion of the Baljek Airport runway and the inauguration of a Shillong-Tura flight route. These measures aim to improve air connectivity within Meghalaya and beyond.

The Chief Minister also raised concerns about the complex guidelines for availing schemes from the Ministry of DoNER (Development of North Eastern Region). He urged the ministry to streamline the process for easier access to crucial development funds.

Responding to reports of extortion by the militant group HNLC, Sangma acknowledged the government's openness to discussing amnesty on a case-by-case basis.

He said that heinous crimes would not be overlooked. The Chief Minister also directed the police to investigate the use of WhatsApp for extortion activities.

Sangma dismissed rumors of internal conflict within his party (NPP) regarding the candidate selection for the upcoming Gambegre by-election. He assured that all potential candidates had agreed to abide by the party's final decision, highlighting party unity.